Dell Rapids 16U scored five times in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift them to an 11-9 victory over Dakota Valley at home on Wednesday, July 7th.
Dakota Valley scored two times in the top of the first inning, but Dell Rapids responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning. Brayden Pankonen had an RBI double, and Will Jaton had an RBI single to tie the game. Dakota Valley got another run in the top of the third, but Dell Rapids took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Jaton, CJ Smith, and Joe Rechtenbaugh all had RBI singles to give Dell Rapids a 5-3 lead after three innings of play.
Dakota Valley put the pressure on Dell Rapids in the top of the fifth inning. They scored five times to take an 8-5 lead. Smith had an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 8-6. Dakota Valley got another run in the top of the sixth to put them back in front by three at 9-6.
Dell Rapids then had their big inning. John Mortrude had a two-run single. Mortude then scored on an error to tie the game 9-9. Pankonen had an RBI single to give Dell Rapids the lead again, and then Dylan Mathis had an RBI single to make a two-run advantage, 11-9, heading into the final inning. Pankonen got three straight outs to save the victory.
Pankonen had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Jaton and Smith both had two hits and two RBIs. Mortrude had a hit and two RBIs. Mathis and Rechtenbaugh both had a hit and RBI.
Jaton pitched five innings allowing eight rights, even earned, on six hits with five walks and seven strikeouts. Smith allowed an earned run on three hits. Pankonen pitched two innings giving up just one hit with three strikeouts.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Valley 16U | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 5 |
| Dell Rapids 16U | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | X | 11 | 9 | 1 |